The arrival of every new year brings reflection about goals and opportunities for the months ahead.Here at Prichard, social change is always at the top of our minds because we are committed to using our communications superpowers for good.We asked ourselves and local leaders who are alumni of The Portland Ten three questions on how social changemakers across Portland can make the most of...

Social media is a key strategic communications tactic to engage your target audience. It is also the most rapidly evolving communications tool.Staying on top of social media trends is a priority for any smart communicator. It helps ensure that you are most effectively and efficiently leveraging opportunities and overcoming challenges to reach and move your audience to action.The new year...

Your executive director, president or CEO can help your organization increase visibility, demonstrate thought leadership, and build community through their personal social media networks.Putting a face behind your brand on social media also positions your organization as transparent and accessible, which can foster connections between your organization and your audiences online.As a...

A well-run blog lets your social change organization engage supporters, share ideas and accomplishments, and connect with decision-makers.To be successful, you must publish consistently and provide valuable content. This creates trust and keeps readers coming back. And you need an editorial calendar to plan your work and a strategy to market it. But coming up with new ideas for blog posts...

Giving Tuesday is quickly approaching, and you don’t want to miss this opportunity to jump start the charitable giving season. Last year, nonprofits raised more than $116 million dollars —that’s 145 percent growth from the previous year!This year’s day of giving, which falls on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, is yet another opportunity to connect with new donors and strengthen ties...

In your community, the social changemakers—those who are civically engaged, give back to the community, and are deeply immersed in local issues—are often the movers and shakers. They are powerful influencers for your philanthropy, nonprofit or purpose-driven brand because they are well-connected and know how to effect change in the issues you care about.Engaging these social changemakers...

Communications was a vital part of the movement that stopped legal discrimination against gays and lesbians in the U.S. military in 2011. (A similar ban on discrimination of transgender persons didn’t come until June 30, 2016). Aaron Belkin, the founder of Palm Center, was at the center of the effort. He led a 10-year communications campaign to end the military’s “don’t ask, don’t...

Events are an opportunity to shine on social media. Whether your audience is on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Snapchat, these platforms can amplify your place-based gathering online.Events have always excelled at bringing people together in person, and they can now extend your network on social media. Promoting your event on social media can spark conversations that keep going, bring your...

A strategic partnership is social change gold in our world. Partnerships unite leaders working to advance issues. They allow for an exchange of resources that amplify both partners’ work. And they generate new ideas for making effective and lasting change.Partners cans also work together to combine communications superpowers to make a big splash for a campaign or initiative.Here are...

At Prichard, we’re big fans of professional conferences for social change communicators. Our favorites include the annual events sponsored by frank and The Nonprofit Technology Enterprise Network. These and other gatherings offer terrific opportunities to share ideas, reconnect with old colleagues, and make new friends.At the end of this month, my colleague Jenna Cerruti and I go to...

Digital campaigns have the power to build a movement that creates meaningful—and measurable—social change.A strong social media campaign starts with specific target audiences and clear call-to-actions that ladder up to your online and offline goals to make a difference. You’ll also want to define what success looks like—what are the yardsticks and milestones you’d like to...